The 21st instalment in the Twenty-Four Solar Terms series. This year’s Minor Cold marks the final solar term in the series, excluding the culminating ‘Two Solstices and Two Equinoctia’.
Shōkan (小寒) is one of the twenty-four solar terms. On the calendar, it marks the period when the cold intensifies, just before the year’s coldest period, Dakan (大寒).
It is famous for the custom of eating seven-herb rice porridge. Among the seventy-two sub-seasons of Shōkan is ‘Serino sakau’ (芹乃栄), meaning ‘water parsley flourishes’. This is the season when the water parsley used in the seven-herb rice porridge grows abundantly.
Typically falling around 5th January, it follows the New Year celebrations. People send midwinter greetings and engage in activities like midwinter swimming. It is also a time to pray for health and safety in the new year amidst the cold, clear air.
It is the season when the frozen cries of red-crowned cranes echo across tranquil snowfields blanketed in diamond dust.
The Akkeshi Distillery has now entered its tenth winter since commencing operations.
We deliver this whisky with profound gratitude.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Poached pear and persimmon mascarpone, marmalade toast with vanilla wafers.
Palate: Mandarin jelly and salted lemon’s crispness, brown sugar yokan and dried persimmon’s richness.
Finish: Pepper crackers and ginger syrup, lemon zest, dark chocolate fading to quiet peat.
Source: Kaken Jitsugyo Co., Ltd. Akkeshi Distillery Facebook Page
At BAR Shinai, we serve this whisky by the glass: 45ml: ¥6,270, 30ml: ¥4,180, 15ml: ¥2,090.
For detailed information on the Akkeshi Single Malt Japanese Whisky “Shōkan”, please see this article.
